Nestor was the son of Neleus and Chloris in Greek mythology, and king of the city of Pylos. He was married to Eurydice (different to the wife of Orpheus) or Anaxibia, and had numerous children, including Peisistratus, Thrasymedes and Pisidice.

He took part in the Argonautic Expedition and helped Jason retrieve the Golden Fleece from the land of Colchis. He was also one of the hunters of the Calydonian Boar. Along with his two sons, he participated in the Trojan War, on the side of the Achaeans. Although he was already at a very old age and did not actively fight in the war, he often spoke to reconciliate the Greeks, such as when Agamemnon and Achilles had a dispute. After the end of the war, Nestor and his remaining troops did not take part in the sack of Troy, but left for Pylos. There, Nestor received Telemachus as a guest, asking for his father Odysseus' fate.

Homer portrayed Nestor in two conflicting ways. On one hand, he was seen as a wise man who was frequently asked for advice; on the other hand, however, his advice was often considered anachronistic for that time and sometimes led to disasters. For example, he was the one to advise Patroclus on how to act, leading to the young man's death. In any case, though, his expertise was never doubted and was in fact praised.